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double glazing problem
foskid - 25/11/10 at 01:14 PM

Help please, I'm starting to get condensation inside my windows . Is this going to be a replacement fix or can these things be dried and resealed. I'm getting conflicting opinions from local firms one company says it can be done another says yes it can, but I'm sure they are advising in thier own interest.
Anyone dealt with before?

nick205 - 25/11/10 at 01:21 PM

As far as I'm aware, once the seal/vacuum has gon on a double glazed unit it's had it and needs replacing. If they're old enough to have failed then new replacements could be better performing in terms of U value as well.

steve m - 25/11/10 at 01:33 PM

I replaced all 9 panes of glass in the front of my house last year, as they had all got condensation in them, and were about 13 years old, total cost on me measureing them getting them made and delivered was about £190, i then fitted them, it really was a quite rewarding job !!

and we can see out of the house now !!

The biggest window pane is downstairs in the lounge and that was a pane lol, as it was heavy and awkward

Steve

scootz - 25/11/10 at 01:50 PM

We have a new build and EVERY pane of glass in the house has condensation on it in the morning... the company who installed them claim that this is 'normal'!

MK9R - 25/11/10 at 01:58 PM

quote:
Originally posted by scootz
We have a new build and EVERY pane of glass in the house has condensation on it in the morning... the company who installed them claim that this is 'normal'!


between the pains or on the inside of the house? If its between the pains i'd be demanding they come out and sort it! We had all new windows in our old house and used to get get condensation on the inside of the window (not bewteen the pains), i spoke to the neighbours who all had the same problem (all with different makes of windows), all we could put down to was that it was on a bay window so must have been exposed to extreme temperatures (compared to the other windows) and maybe a draft from between the bay wall. But nothing is as bad as a 700 year old house, with massive single glazed windows and secondary glazing, i can have a wash using the condensation!!

back to the original question, i'd replace them

tegwin - 25/11/10 at 02:01 PM

I literally have water streaming down the inside of my patio doors.... The door is about 7" to short for the hole... so they have filled the space above with... um... nothing.... Guess thats the cause of my issue.... worth checking that your properly insulated in the areas around the window

scootz - 25/11/10 at 02:04 PM

On the inside...

MK9R - 25/11/10 at 02:06 PM

quote:
Originally posted by scootz
On the inside...


turn the heating down or move the house somewhere warmer ;-)

scootz - 25/11/10 at 02:07 PM

Not turning the heating down... will just have to move the house to Barbuda!

JoelP - 25/11/10 at 06:59 PM

quote:
Originally posted by scootz
Not turning the heating down... will just have to move the house to Barbuda!


that condensation will cause you trouble eventually! If it forms on cold windows then there will be other cold areas where it forms, and mould will develop. I ended up with a black wall and peeling paper

I asked a few weeks about new sealed units, i got a quote of about £110 for 4 panes. You can also pay more for safety glass or low E value glass.

Ninehigh - 25/11/10 at 08:08 PM

What are these E and U values?

scootz - 25/11/10 at 08:17 PM

No idea, but it takes clever people to work them out!

We paid extra to get argon-filled units... can't say I've noticed any difference!

JoelP - 25/11/10 at 08:19 PM

Hard to remember the specifics, google it! E is something like how much energy passes through something per degree of temp difference, so low is good. R is addable (ie two layers is doubled) and high is good. U is the inverse of R i think. E values vary between 0.7 for coated triple glazing, and maybe 2 at worst, and the difference might save approx £30 a year (ballpark)

i tell a lie, its about £10 difference per 0.1 e value.

[Edited on 25/11/10 by JoelP]

interestedparty - 25/11/10 at 08:32 PM

Condensation on the inside of windows is a function of the temperature of the glass (on the inside) and the relative humidity of the air in the room. Only cure is to lower the humidity (dehumidifiers actually recover heat from the water they produce, so are worth looking into) or to raise the temperature of the glass (radiator underneath, or bigger air gap between panes, or better insulation value to the glass, or triple glazing).

foskid - 26/11/10 at 03:01 AM

Thanks guys,
I think I'll opt for replacement sealed units. Looking back though old paperwork I find that the current units were installed in 1980 so they've done thier bit. I suppose new ones are more efficient so best just bite the bullit.